Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Svätý Jur

The pilgrimage site Lurdská jaskyňa Marianka is located in the eponymous village of Marianka, near the town of Stupava, just 10 kilometers from Bratislava. This peaceful place in Záhorie is part of the pilgrimages in Marianske údolie. Christians from all over the world bring their gratitude and prayer here to the Virgin Mary.

Lourdes caves are built by Christians in honor of the apparition of the Virgin Mary. In 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl, Bernadette, in the French town of Lourdes. Since then, smaller and larger caves have been built with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a small girl kneeling at her feet. This imitation of the apparition also enjoys popularity in Slovakia, where there are several dozen Lourdes caves.

Lurdská jaskyňa in Marianka is among the favorite places where Christians can express their respect and humility. Originally, this cave was built at the entrance to the church of Bazilika Marianka in 1906. Later, in 1914, it was relocated to the forested part below the slope of the valley. The parishioner Adolf Slovák played the main role in its construction.

Lurdská jaskyňa serves as a place of worship, which is why the parish of Narodenie Panny Márie in Marianka considered rebuilding this space for a longer time so that it would also be suitable for celebrating holy masses. The idea came from architect Ivan Jarina, who proposed the reconstruction. Access stairs to the cave were constructed. A concrete wall was built here, where all the votive/thanksgiving plaques were placed, and a section was prepared for additional ones to come.

Benches were placed around the cave so that people could rest and pray. They also installed a new statue of the Virgin Mary, because the previous one was destroyed by vandals. The site was consecrated at the Feast of the Holy Trinity by the archbishop in 2018.

Marianka as a pilgrimage location offers other interesting places you can visit in addition to Lurdská jaskyňa. One of them is Křížová cesta (the Stations of the Cross). Life-size statues built in 14 chapels remind us of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Kaplnky siedmich radostí Panny Márie or Kaplnka Svätej Studne are also popular.

Marianka is undoubtedly one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. Set out for prayer at this place yourself, or go see other sights in southern Slovakia. We offer you accommodation near Lurdská jaskyňa Marianka or accommodation in Záhorie on our website. Whether you are looking for a peaceful guesthouse or a comfortable apartment, you will surely find your choice with us.

Bratislavská Kalvária was one of the first significant calvaries not only in Slovakia, but also in the Kingdom of Hungary at the time. You can find it in the district of Staré Mesto, on Kalvársky vrch in Bratislava. It was built in memory of the battle against the Turks near Vienna in 1683. According to most lexicons that refer to the Bible, a calvary is understood as a place or hill where Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem. It is also associated with the depiction of the Way of the Cross with 14 stations.

The establishment of the Kalvária dates back to 1694. Its construction was initiated by the Jesuits, members of the Society of Jesus. It was completed in the 1920s and thus became a dominant landmark of Prešporek at the time. A sad fact is that with the onset of the communist regime in the 1950s, it underwent targeted destruction and devastation. Instead of stations with crosses, you will only find pictures with liturgical texts nailed to trees. The Kalvária has been operating in a provisional mode for many years, but it is gradually being restored. In 2020, the reconstruction of the only preserved chapel began, and the restoration plan also mentions the reconstruction of the stairs.

The first station was located at the site of today's SAV public transport stop, near the church of Cyril and Methodius. Did you know that the Kalvária became a refuge in 1713 for the people of Bratislava who survived a plague wave there? A part of the original path has been preserved to this day and is gradually being revitalized, also thanks to the OZ Bratislavská Kalvária. Kalvársky vrch continues to serve as a place of prayer and occasional Stations of the Cross. Not far from Bratislavská Kalvária stands the Kostol Panny Márie Snežnej and a Lourdes cave with a marble statue of the Virgin Mary.

After a romantic walk along the Kalvária, head to the center of Bratislava and experience plenty of fun discovering great attractions with which our capital is practically packed. Take a stroll through Staré Mesto and take a nice photo with the statue of Čumil and Schöne Náci. Walk through Michalská brána and take a look at Dóm sv. Martina, which belongs to the oldest Gothic sacred buildings in Slovakia. A visit to the Zoologická záhrada Bratislava and the botanical garden will also be a pleasant experience. Do not spend a lot of money on expensive accommodation; in our accommodation offer in Staré Mesto Bratislava, you will also find affordable options. Act quickly and book accommodation around Bratislavská Kalvária today. Our capital will surely win you over, and you will return home rested and full of unforgettable experiences.